Gasser HotRod Forums banner
1 - 14 of 14 Posts

· Registered
Joined
·
2,326 Posts
Nothing like the looks of a big block sitting in the front of a '55. Too bad you have to block the view with dumb things like a radiator and stuff. I'm still trying to figure out how to affectively mount my radiator in the trunk on my '63. If I ever figure it out it'll look great opening the tilt ftont end an seeing all motor and turbos. No radiator to block the view. Mark L
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,326 Posts
Str8axle. My first car was a '55 Bel Air with a tansplanted 350 horse 3 duece solid lifter 348. That thing was an animal when I wasn't completely destroying the old GM three speeds behind it. Guys wanted to race me and I would tell them I had the original 265 in it but a little hopped up. I always drove it around on the center carb, disconnecting the solid carb linkage for driving around. When we would get to the race place, I would jump out and hook up the tree dueces. That was when the other guy would get a little nervous. Only race I ever lost was once when my trans grenaded, and once I forgot to hook up the linkage. Still only lost that one to a 275 hp/327 '66 Chevelle by a fender. Had a lot of fun with it. Mark L
Forgot. I lost the first two races to a '64 Fairlane with the solid lifter 271 HP 289 4 speed 4:10 rear and extras. That was right after I got the car and knew nothing about it. I had a local 348/409 guy teach me how to tune it and I challenged the dude to another race. Blew him away all three times. Made him mad as hell. Loved it. Mark L
 

· Registered
Joined
·
12 Posts
Discussion Starter · #7 ·
I agree, there is a great sound from a big block. I even screwed up four of the welds to make them look like the original work someone did in the past. The welds are solid, but I went back over them to make them lumpy and did not grind it all perfectly flat. Really looking forward to getting it running and going for a drive. Wonder how far I will make it this time before I get pulled over. LOL
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,326 Posts
"I even screwed up four of the welds to make them look like the original work someone did in the past". HA, you make me laugh you do. My welds already have that nostalgic look, not on purpose, I'm just a crappy welder. I guess I have "nostalgic talent". Heh. Mark L
 

· Registered
Joined
·
12 Posts
Discussion Starter · #10 ·
Now that is funny. just dont tell anyone and they will think you are preserving history.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,277 Posts
"I even screwed up four of the welds to make them look like the original work someone did in the past". HA, you make me laugh you do. My welds already have that nostalgic look, not on purpose, I'm just a crappy welder. I guess I have "nostalgic talent". Heh. Mark L
Ha!!! Then I guess mine are "nostalgic novice looking!!!"

I am just starting to learn how to weld. I have a cousin who used to be a district manager for Miller Welding (he recently retired) who got me a Miller Matic 180 MIG Welder (220vac model) I am happy to be able to tack and then let one of my "hot rod buddies" (a welder by trade) finish-weld for me.

Since the Opel was built awhile ago it does have two distinct types (looks) of welds. The original ones were done with "stick welder" and the more recent & re-do welds with a MIG which were done by a real PRO WELDER. His welds are works of "art".

I plan to spend more time practicing as soon as the cruising season winds down. With all the plans I have for the Opel I really need to be able to more than "tack weld".
 

· Registered
Joined
·
12 Posts
Discussion Starter · #12 ·
I have the same welder, very nice home unit. I also have my torch set that I weld with as well. Its all practice, practice, practice and more practice. I went to a local steel yard and bought a bunch of their scrap to practice on. After about two spools of wire, I was getting pretty good. Good winter time past time.
 
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top